“I am proud to announce that the House has approved my request for $64 million in discretionary funding for Fourth District road projects,” said Ross. “I co-sponsored this legislation and worked hard to secure this funding, which will provide much-needed repairs and improvements to our district’s highways and roads in all 29 counties that I represent. This funding will also help our economy here at home by creating jobs for the construction of these projects and economic opportunities for the future. This is a win-win situation, and demonstrates my commitment to be an economic ambassador for Arkansas. 

“I am especially pleased this bill secures $40 million for the construction of Interstate 530 from Pine Bluff to Wilmar. This project has been a high-priority of mine since I came to Congress nearly four years ago. The construction of I-530 will help revitalize the Delta region. It will stimulate the economy of this agricultural sector by easing the movement of goods and services, due to the proximity to the Mississippi River. 

“These projects, while passed by the full House, must now be approved by the House and Senate Conference Committee, when they meet to work out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the transportation reauthorization bill.  Additionally, significant funding for highways of national significance, such as I-49, I-69, and the Great River Bridge, will be determined in the House and Senate Conference Committee.  These interstate projects are among my top priorities and I am optimistic that we will also be successful in securing funds for these two interstates in the conference committee.” 

Ross and the Arkansas delegation also secured $2.4 billion in funds for the Arkansas Highway Department -- $204 million more than the previous transportation reauthorization bill. The Department will use this money on road and transportation-related projects throughout the state.

Congress renews the Transportation Reauthorization Bill every six years, which primarily provides funding over a six-year period for road projects, Interstate highways, and state highway departments.  This bill is different from the Transportation Appropriations Bill, which Congress passes annually. Fourth District projects not funded in the House-passed TEA-LU bill may still be funded in the conference committee or as part of the annual Transportation Appropriations Bill, which Congress will pass later this year. 

Fourth District projects currently contained in the Transportation Bill include the following: 

Construction of I-530 from Pine Bluff to Wilmar - $40 million 
Improvements to Ashley 70 and Marais Saline Roads in Ashley County - $500,000 
Improvements to County Roads 18, 32, 33, and 16 in Bradley County - $500,000 
Improvements to Calhoun County Roads 64, 73, 81, and 26 - $500,000 
Construction of Camden Port Access Road in Camden - $480,000 
Improvements to Jennie Road in Chicot County - $288,000 
Improvements to Sugarloaf Road, Sugarloaf Bridge construction in Clark County - $500,000 
Improvements to Ryburn Road, Parker Loop, Hill Harper Road, Rogers Road, and Shady Grove Road in Cleveland County -- $500,000 
Replacement of Bridges #11597, #11598, and #11590 in Columbia County -- $500,000 
Improvements to Dallas County Roads 101,124, 209, and 113 - $500,000 
Improvement of Colin Ray Blvd. in De Queen - $500,000 
Improvements to Judges Road in Desha County - $500,000 
Widening of Lone Sassafrass Road in Drew County -- $304,000 
Improvements to Grant County Road 14 in Grapevine - $500,000 
Improvements to East Patrol Road in Hempstead County - $200,000 
Resurfacing of Grigsby Ford Road in Hot Spring County - $220,000 
Improvements to Higdon Ferry Road in Hot Springs - $4 million 
Construction of Gilham Lake Access Road in Howard County - $1.144 million 
Widening of Jefferson Parkway in Jefferson County - $500,000 
Repairing of Clear Creek Bridge in Lafayette County - $280,000 
Improvements to County Road 32, Little Garnet/Cane Creek in Lincoln County - $500,000 
Resurfacing of Jack Creek Road and Upgrading of Pedee Creek Road in Logan County - $440,000 
Widening of Old Boyd Road and upgrading of associated bridges in Miller County -- $500,000 
Relocation of Mazarn Bridge in SE Montgomery County - $60,000 
Upgrading Nevada County Roads 7, 4, 17 and 6 -- $400,000 
Overlaying of Lester Road, County Road 25, in Ouachita County - $500,000 
Repairing of Bowen Bridge on Hwy 301 in Pike County – $24,000 
Improvements to University Avenue in Pine Bluff - $3.2 million 
Improvement of County Road 75 in Polk County - $200,000 
Construction of Prescott Overpass in Prescott - $2.4 million 
Improvement of Johnny Tate Bridge in Scott County - $280,000 
Construction of Roadway for Southeast Arkansas  Intermodal, Bradley/Drew Counties - $2.08 million 
Widening and Replacement of Bridges on Hopewell Road in Union County - $500,000 
Construction of Four-Lane on U.S. Hwy 167 from Junction City to Louisiana State Line - $500,000  

The bill will now go to conference committee, where House and Senate negotiators will work out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. The measure must then be voted on again by both chambers and sent to the President for his signature.